Method of making markers



vOct. 14, 1941. H. DUKE 2,258,885 I METHOD OF MAKING MARKERS Filed July 3, 1939 WZUW i k 44m 1 1 5. Fi .6. 45

9' fi- 3 3mm I ""ft'fii HOLMES DUKE Patented Oct. 14, 1941 HTED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

This invention relates to a method of making markers.

An object of the invention is to provide a method for making markers for streets and roads.

The invention relates particularly to the method whereby characters such as numbers, or letters, may be inset into a. block of concretious material so that the letters and the concrete block will form a unitary structure and so that the forward faces of the letters, or numbers, will be fiush with the forward face of the block and will offer sufficient contrast, in color therewith, to stand out clearly.

With the above and other objects in view the invention has particular relation to a novel method described in the specification and illustrated in the drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 shows a plan view of the false bottom of the mold showing the figures and letters in spaced relation, and in inverted position, thereon.

Figure 2 shows an edge view thereof.

Figure 3 shows a plan view of the mold with the false bottom therein showing the facing material in the mold surrounding the figures and letters.

Figure 4 shows a plan view of the mold filled with the concretious material of the block.

Figure 5 shows an end view.

Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 3.

Figure 7 shows a cross-sectional view taken on the lin 1-1 of Figure 4..

Figure 8 shows a perspective view of the completed block, and

Figure 9 shows an end view of the block in position for the false bottom to be stripped from the completed block.

In the drawing the numerals l and 2 designate one side and the bottom respectively of the mold which are permanently secured together.

The numeral 3 designates the removable side of the mold which is set on the bottom and spaced therefrom as shown. At each end between the sides are removable end blocks 4, 4 fitted between the sides of the mold. The side 3 and the end blocks 4 may be maintained in assembled relation with the rest of the mold by means of the inverted U-shaped clamps 5, 5 which are fitted over the ends of the assembled mold to maintain the parts in assembled relation. In carrying out the method the characters used such as the figures, or letters, designated genspaced relation on the false bottom I and in inverted position as shown in Figure 1.

The upper face of the false bottom 1 is first covered with an adhesive such as shellac and the characters are then placed thereon in proper spaced relation before the shellac dries so that they will adhere to the false bottom and be maintained in proper relation. The false bottom, with the characters 6 50 secured thereon, is then placed in the bottom of the mold as shown in Figures 3 and 6 and the facing material is then poured into the mold, as shown in Figure 3, until its upper surface is approximately flush with the upper surface of the figures, or letters, 6. This facing material is usually white cement. The letters, or characters, 6 are also formed of cementitious material, previously molded into the proper shape and allowed to set before they are placed on the false bottom 1. They are of a color to offer the proper contrast to the white facing material.

The facing material of the block is indicated by the numeral 8. After it is placed in the mold the mold may be vibrated, if desired, to cause the plastic, cementitious material 8 to pack and to relieve it of air voids. The mold is then filled up with ordinary cementitious material 9, while the facing material 8 is still plastic so that it will coalesce therewith. The plastic material in the mold is then allowed to set.

The sides of the characters 6 are in sealed relation with the false bottom 1 so that none of the facing material will reach said faces to blur them. When the block has set the clamps 5, the removable side 3 and the ends 4 are removed and the block is given a quarter turn as shown in Figure 9 so as to expose the false bottom. The shellac causes said false bottom to adher lightly to the forward face of the block and said false bottom may therefore be easily stripped off in the manner indicated in Figure 9 so as to completely expose the front face of the block and the characters 6 thereon, which characters will appear upright in proper position as shown in Figure 8 ready for installation at the street crossing or elsewhere where the sign is to be used.

The characters of which the sign is composed will thus present a clean, clear out, appearance offering a defined contrast with the facing material of the block.

What I claim is:

The method of forming a street marker which comprises adhering designating characters to a flexible false mold bottom with the surfaces of erally by the numeral 6, are p ac in the Proper said characters adjacent the bottom in sealed terial to set to form a block with said characters permanently set therein, removing one side and the ends of the mold and turning the block to a. position to expose said bottom, then stripping the bottom from said block to expose said characters.

HOLMES DUKE. 

